The Asus RT-N16 router is one of the most powerful routers currently available. The RT-N16 has 802.11n, gigabit network ports, a fast processor, lots of memory and flash, and two USB ports for running a printer and external hard drive at the same time.
The stock Asus firmware is not that great, people have reported a lot of problems with it. So a great way to improve this router is to install a third party firmware. The two most popular are Tomato and DD-WRT. Tomato seems to have all the advanced features plus it is easier to use than DD-WRT so I decided to install Tomato. The standard version of Tomato does not support USB. Luckily there is another project called TomatoUSB that allows the use of the USB ports on the RT-N16.
The only problem with the alternate firmwares is that the documentation is severely lacking. There doesn’t seem to be a single, easy to follow guide on how to install the firmware. You have to spend many hours reading forum posts that are sometimes contradictory.
In reality installing Tomato is actually pretty simple once you figure it out. There is a lot of confusing information online, but if you follow the steps below you will have a working Tomato install:
- Download the latest version of TomatoUSB from here: http://tomatousb.org/download. For the Asus RT-N16 you need to use the “Ext” build for Kernel 2.6 MIPSR2. The Ext build has the most features and it will fit in the RT-N16′s flash space. I used Build 47, but use whatever the latest version is.
- Install the Firmware Restoration Utility from the CD that came with the router. Run \Utility\setup.exe from the CD to install it. If you no longer have the CD you can also download it from the Asus website.
- Disable the firewall on your computer. This is required, the Restoration Utility refuses to run unless it is disabled. To disable it on Vista or Windows 7, hit the Start key then type firewall to get to the firewall control panel. On XP you should be able to go to the Control Panel and find the Firewall icon.
- Using an ethernet cable plug your computer into one of the 4 LAN ports on the router.
- Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.1.1. Verify that the router login page loads. If nothing loads then your computer is not able to reach the router. You’ll need to fix this problem before continuing.
- Run the Asus Firmware Restoration Utility from the Start menu. If it gives you an error about the firewall then your firewall isn’t disabled. You need to disable it before continuing.
- Click the Browse button and select the file that you downloaded in step #1. Don’t click the upload button yet.
- Put the router in recovery mode: Unplug the router. Hold down the Reset button. Plug the router back in. Once the power light starts slowly flashing release the reset button. The power light should continue to flash. The flashing light means the router is ready to accept the new firmware.
- Click the upload button in the Restoration utility. The firmware will now start uploading into the router. Don’t touch anything while the firmware is being uploaded. After the upload is complete wait five minutes or so just to be sure everything is done.
- Now reset the settings to default: Unplug the router. Hold the WPS button on the back of the router. Plug the router back in. Hold the button for about 30 seconds and release it.
- Open a browser and go to http://192.168.1.1. Login with user “admin” and password “admin”. You should be logged into Tomato. Now you can configure your router using the Tomato GUI.
I’ve used the above steps to successfully install Tomato on my Rt-N16. If you have any suggestions or improvements to this guide let me know by leaving a comment.
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#1 by Databoy on July 21, 2010 - 6:07 pm
Thanks for the guide/info, really helpful.
#2 by Billc on July 28, 2010 - 8:48 am
Will this same guide work for the Rt-N12 as well?
Thanks
#3 by Patrick on August 6, 2010 - 6:49 pm
@Billc, I believe this process will also work on the RT-N12. But I’ve never tried it so I’m not sure. If someone tries it and it works then please post here.
#4 by Matt on August 11, 2010 - 2:21 pm
Thanks for the handy guide. Couldn’t agree more about the pain of searching through conflicting posts about how to proceed. One note, it looks like you have a couple of typos in step 1, i.e. “For the Asus *RS-N16* you need to use the “Ext” build for MIPSR2 ” Shouldn’t that be RT-N16? I mention this only because these upgrades can be so sensitive and I want to be sure I’m following the right guide.
#5 by Bud on August 12, 2010 - 7:29 pm
this is by far the best install/flash guide that I have seen, but I am looking for instructs using a linux distro [opensuse 11.2].
#6 by Patrick on August 14, 2010 - 7:56 pm
Matt, thanks for pointing out the typos. I meant RT-N16, I’ve corrected the post.
#7 by Greg on August 28, 2010 - 8:42 pm
Hey Patrick,
I tried to install this by your way but it didn’t work. I tried twice too.
Details:
Used ASUS firmware out of the box
Followed all instructions
But when it came for the last one, it just didn’t work. I couldn’t load 192.168.1.1.
Using Win7. Fortunately, I reflashed with ASUS firmware with your steps and it worked!
Hmm… wondering what’s going on here.
#8 by Greg on August 28, 2010 - 9:17 pm
Ah I tried again but used these instructions (similar to yours) but used K26! My first attempt was with K24… suggestion to specify the build for newbies like me. Thanks
#9 by Marc on August 31, 2010 - 8:23 pm
Hi, I just followed your guide to the letter and bricked my router( i think)
The connection was lost during the upload. It looked like it uploaded the file i downloaded and then after ran an auto recovery thing that halted at 33 % I gave it some more time but when i came back it said it had failed due to losing connection.
Now, It does still power up and even looks like it enters recovery mode again when i hold the button but even then the recovery utility cant find anything.
As for it booting up normally or with holding the wps button down i am getting the same lack of connectivity
i have also tried 3 different cables to make sure it wasnt that
This router represents a signifigant investment to me being a starving student, so your help fixing this would be greatly appreciated
#10 by Patrick on August 31, 2010 - 9:11 pm
@Greg: Thanks for the feedback. I added “Kernel 2.6″ to the instructions as you suggested.
#11 by Patrick on August 31, 2010 - 9:27 pm
@Marc: When I flashed my router everything worked fine. So unfortunately I don’t have any experience recovering from a bad flash.
Are you sure it isn’t working? In this post some guy said his flash failed at 33% but it still worked fine:
http://tomatousb.org/forum/t-251656/installing-on-rt-n16
Also check this:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=62426
It sounds like you might just need to get the timing right so try a few times and you should be able to recover.
#12 by Marc on September 1, 2010 - 2:49 am
Just an update
I was able to get it working again
After unpluging it for a good amount of time i was able use the recovery software again( from the cd)
I then came across another guide that said dd-wrt needed to be installed first ( also used another version of tomato, so unsure if it was needed for your version) but i did it having nothing to lose.
But what I really think the trick was a simple extracting of the files with winRAR and making sure of the correct file extensions. Seems like a no brainer now but for people just learning like me, we need every little step added because i feared doing anything that was not on the guide could mess things up. So i think that would be a valuble little add on to the list
Also I would like to thank you Patrick for your speedy reply and Asus for making such anti-brickable routers. Kudos
Heres the link to the other guide I followed for anyone having trouble going directly to tomato.
http://www.yourbts.com/blog/installing-tomato-and-optware-on-an-asus-rt-n16-router/
#13 by Seetharam on October 4, 2010 - 9:38 pm
Hi Patrick,
thanks for your excellent step-by-step procedure to install. i followed it exactly and i was able to install tomato in my RT-N16 without any problem. TomatoUSB is working great in this router and i am able to connect my external hard drive or USB drive into the wireless router and access them WIFI.. excellent..
#14 by dave on October 12, 2010 - 9:34 pm
I got error “invalid IP address”
I needed to set a static IP on my network card (as I had no DHCP for my network without a router) in the range of 192.168.1.x
#15 by dave on October 12, 2010 - 10:02 pm
Oh… and this was done on an RT-N12…. so yes, it does work!
#16 by John on October 30, 2010 - 12:32 am
Need some help, it seemed to have installed correctly but I can’t get internet access either wired or wireless.
#17 by Dave K. on November 4, 2010 - 8:33 am
Count me among those who saw the upload process freeze at 33%, along with the scary “Connection FAIL…check router” message, but yet found the router was running Tomato just fine after plowing ahead anyway.
Incidentally, thanks very much for this guide! One niggling fix if I might suggest….step #8 talks about a “Reset” button….on the router it’s actually labelled “Restore”. A tiny quibble indeed, but it did give me pause for a few seconds, especially since the WPS button is also near it (“is THAT the ‘Reset’ button?” went through my mind….)
#18 by Titan on November 16, 2010 - 1:11 am
Mine stuck at 99% and said could not connect. but tomato was working fine anyway.
#19 by Nik on November 27, 2010 - 3:08 am
I just purchased the rt-n16 and am wondering if you need to update it with dd-wrt first and then tomato (like some instructions online), or just go directly to tomato as you have so informatively described?
Patrick, really do appreciate all the time and effort put into the open source dev and anxiously looking forward to trying this out.
#20 by Nik on November 27, 2010 - 11:37 am
#21 by Nik on November 27, 2010 - 11:40 am
#22 by LaBud on November 29, 2010 - 4:34 pm
This only talks about Windows installation. Is there a way to install tomatousb if I am using linux as a OS?
I am refering to:
“Run \Utility\setup.exe”, as this file type cannot be done under linux.
#23 by Nam on November 30, 2010 - 7:02 am
I got the same “33% stuck” problem and I scared just like the other previous post here, thinking that my router got brick. I was unable to access 192.168.1.1 at all.
Then I read the post again, on step 10 I did a bit more careful, holding down the button a bit more than 30 secs and finally it worked. Phew!
After logining the admin section, my RT-N16 stuck at renewing IP. Reboot didn’t change a thing, but Shutdown finally give me the access online, hence I’m typing on this page.
Thanks Patrick, great tutorial, hopefully if someone got “33%” problem like a few of use don’t get too scared about it.
#24 by Lance on December 1, 2010 - 4:46 pm
Patrick,
I have bought the N16 and N12 planning on using the N12 as a bridge upstairs (plugged into PS3 and TV). Will the Tomato install on the N16 allow me to point to the N12 as a bridge or would I need to use DD-WRT for that?
#25 by VJ on December 3, 2010 - 3:59 pm
After the upload …the Router does not reboot
When I plugout and plugin manually…Iconnects to the Router but there is no Internet
#26 by Amar on December 5, 2010 - 10:50 pm
Thank you sir, you are a saint. Struggled all day fiddling with Asus’s firmware. Followed your procedure and with the exception of a hiccup or two, worked perfectly. Thanks!
#27 by James on December 10, 2010 - 1:01 am
Hi Patrick,
Great tutorial, thanks for taking the time to share!!
I’ve been thinking about purchasing the N16 for use with Tomato, but I haven’t been able to find a thorough review of an N16 + Tomato setup.
Would you mind sharing some thoughts (either here in the comments, or in another post) on the pairing? Have you implemented any of Tomato’s QoS settings? I’d be interested to hear how the router handles Tomato’s QoS under high load conditions.
Thanks!
#28 by Will on December 17, 2010 - 8:40 am
Hey,
Thanks for the great tutorial. Does anyone use the usb on the N16? Tomato will detect it but my PC’s will not. Any advice on a program that will help win XP and Vista recognize a networked printer.
Thank you in advance.
#29 by Russell on December 29, 2010 - 10:25 pm
Great tutorial! I was struggling with DHCP issues with the stock 1.0.1.9 ASUS firmware with my MOT SurfBoard 6120. It repeatedly lost DHCP and was left in an “disconnected”/”renewing” state. This firmware fixed the issue.
You-da-man!
#30 by Adrian on January 6, 2011 - 2:47 am
Hi, I have set up tomato on the router but cant seem to get the external hard drive working. Is there a guide to that somewhere?
Thanks
#31 by Lonzo5 on January 10, 2011 - 3:37 pm
Wow! Thank you so much! I was having so many issues with the original firmware, such as wrong dynamic IPs, signal dropouts, not being able to access the router and other strange happenings that led me to believe my router was haunted. Tomato’s just an all-around better firmware, with a larger amount of more coherent info available to the admin that also doesn’t leave me feeling like an idiot. I did have some of the problems with install mentioned above, but like Marc, all had to do was wait awhile and try again. My connection’s faster and more error-free than it’s ever been. For anyone who’s on the fence, PLEASE do yourself a favor and install this firmware! Thanks again.
#32 by scott on January 12, 2011 - 12:25 pm
hey patric i tried to flash my rt16n and followed your procedure to the letter now my unit continues to flash the power light slow as if it is hung in upload mode and no reset procedure will work any ideas how to recover?
#33 by joe on January 29, 2011 - 8:49 am
flashed 100%
wouldn’t renew ip until i reset modem
#34 by Venkat on February 2, 2011 - 3:58 pm
Thanks for the wonderful article and Thanks again for taking your time to put this out for others, I didnt know what router to buy but after reading this I am planning to buy th buy asus-rtn16
#35 by Neil on February 4, 2011 - 11:40 pm
Thanks for the info. Mine stopped at 33% and dropped the connection. Then it refused to load after the “holding WPS” reset.
The secret to getting it to work: After the “holding WPS” reset, do a simple power cycle–unplug and replug (no buttons being held). This did the trick for me.
Also, don’t change the router IP address. 192.168.1.1 is the only one that I could get to work. Everything else required a reset to default.
Tomato is pretty simple and good. Remember to hit SAVE frequently–it does not have warnings when you accidentally tap away from your long setting-input session.
#36 by Adam on February 5, 2011 - 12:39 am
Cheers very muchly. I’d been pulling my hair out with the dodgy Asus firmware. Our router even reset itself to factory defaults a few times!
I had the same problem as Dave – the router wouldn’t give me DHCP so I had to assign an address manually. Now it’s all fine. I didn’t have to reset it after the firmware finished either.
Adam
#37 by Gene on February 5, 2011 - 6:28 am
I’m stuck on step 9 clicking the upload button. I get a pop up saying “File format or path is invalid!” I’ve tried with .rar file and with .trx file both give me the same message
#38 by Rick on February 7, 2011 - 2:53 pm
Thank you so much for making it so easy!
#39 by KRaZykeV on February 12, 2011 - 12:51 pm
I’ve installed everything and it’s working well, but my 1TB USB drive won’t mount. It can see my drive, but whenever I click the [ mount ] link I get “Failed to mount. Verify the device is plugged in, and try again.”
This worked perfectly on the factory settings.
#40 by KRaZykeV on February 12, 2011 - 2:00 pm
My USB drive is externally powered, so I don’t know what the problem is. Tomato fixed my old problems but has created a new one without my USB drive being accessible.
#41 by KRaZykeV on February 12, 2011 - 2:02 pm
An 8GB USB memory stick worked right away, and mounted automatically. If anyone wants debug info to try and fix this problem, let me know and I’ll send any logs necessary.
#42 by Greg on February 12, 2011 - 2:16 pm
great info, easiest guide for this out there!!
#43 by Ben on February 18, 2011 - 9:24 am
Patrick,
I followed the procedure and tried to flash my new rt-n16. The router is stuck on recovery mode, I can’t get back to 192.168.1.1. Did I bricked the router? Any idea on how to recover?
Thank you in advance.
#44 by Jaybeau on February 25, 2011 - 8:01 pm
Ben,
I was having the same problem as you until I extracted the .trx version of the tomato firmware file from the .rar file, using winRAR, (in step #1). Then I browsed to the .trx file in the Firmware Restoration Utility, instead of the .rar file, (in step #7). Then I completed the rest of the procedure as written.
That seemed to do the trick. Maybe it will help you.
I also made an effort to click the “Upload” button in step #9 as quickly after completing step #8. But I have no idea really if that makes any difference. May just be a bit of superstition…
#45 by MrPickins on February 27, 2011 - 5:04 pm
I can confirm that this works on the RT-N12.
I used the firmware: tomato-K26-1.28.9054MIPSR2-beta-Std.trx
#46 by MattT on March 1, 2011 - 11:59 am
Instructions worked perfectly. I can confirm that this works on the RT-N16. I used the firmware: tomato-K26-1.28.9054MIPSR2-beta-Ext.trx
The only thing I did differently was that during Step 4, I gave my laptop a static IP (192.168.1.2).
Some notes (that aren’t explicitly defined here):
Extract the .trx from the .rar download. Upload the .trx with the utility NOT the .rar!
I performed the upgrade to tomato right out of the box using a second offline laptop. I plugged in the router’s power, then an ethernet cable to my laptop. I did not connect my modem at all until I confirmed the flash worked correctly.
#47 by Kawsar on March 2, 2011 - 7:16 am
Thank you very much – I just used these instructions successfully on my RT-N16. I used firmware:
tomato-K26USB-1.28.9054MIPSR2-beta-Ext.trx
I did it right out of the box – did not use native firmware at all.
As MattT said, upload the .trx file, NOT the .rar.
In step 9 first it gave me an “Invalid IP” error, so I had to do ipconfig /renew to get a valid IP.
#48 by Paul on March 4, 2011 - 12:42 pm
Hi Patrick,
Thanks so much for your time an effort!
I followed your instructions for my RT-N16 and everything seemed to load ok, but I can’t get an internet connection. I can open the tomato page, but when it comes to all of the settings, I’m a bit lost. I did notice that I downloaded the vpn version instead of the ext, so I don’t know if that’s the problem, and if it is, what could be done.
I bought this router because my netgear wireless print server died. Hoping I could kill two birds with one stone (wireless N / print server), I bought this router. From what I read, I thought setting up my printer would be the only tricky portion of the setup, so any usb printing setup tips would also be greatly appeciated.
#49 by Paul on March 5, 2011 - 8:57 am
I actually reflashed the router with the simpler ext version of tomato. Still works perfectly, except for the fact I have no internet on my win 7 or xp laptops. (wan light is on and flashing) It even found my hp 3330 on the usb instantly. I’ve reflashed, restored, reset (both holding the red button for over 30 seconds, and through tomato), but to no avail. I’ve spent 16 hours, in my busy season, researching and trying different settings.
Please help because my next step is to reflash with the asus ware and I’ll have to do more research in finding that restore file!
#50 by Mario on March 11, 2011 - 3:59 pm
I am on exactly same boat as Paul, I can get to the Tomato page but I have no internet connectivity on any of my laptops, I am literally pulling my hair at this point.
HELP PLEASE!